Kiffin starts Driskel at QB over Parr for FAU against Buffalo

Junior quarterback Jason Driskel started for Florida Atlantic on Saturday night against Buffalo after backing up sophomore Daniel Parr in the first three games of the season.

Driskel started 11 games last season, completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,415 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He played in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2015. In last week's win over Bethune-Cookman, he completed 4-of-6 passes for 15 yards in relief of Parr.

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Having only completed four passes past the line of scrimmage last week, the Owls tried to get their vertical passing game going on their first series Saturday.

Driskel threw a long pass to receiver Kamrin Solomon on FAU's first play from scrimmage that wobbled in the air and was nearly intercepted.

After completing a short pass to wideout Willie Wright that went for nine yards, Driskel tried to connect with Wright for a long gain on his third attempt and was intercepted by Buffalo's Ryan Williamson.

Parr, a heralded recruit out of Dwyer, was 43-of-75 passing for 588 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in the first three games of the season. He also rushed for 30 yards and two touchdowns.

Al-Shaair doesn’t start

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair dressed for the game but did not start. He stood on the sideline with his helmet on during the Owls' early defensive series.

The Owls' leading tackler didn't play in the second half against Bethune-Cookman due to an undisclosed injury. He practiced during the week and was listed as a "game-time decision," by coach Lane Kiffin.

Sophomore linebacker Hosea Barnwell V started in place of Al-Shaair. Barnwell was penalized for roughing the passer in the second quarter, but officials determined on replay that he did not target Buffalo's quarterback and would not be ejected.

Junior Jalen Young was injured while tackling Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson in the second quarter, forcing another true freshman, James Pierre, on to the field at strong safety. Young later returned. ...

Kiffin lived 20 miles away from UB Stadium, in Elma, N.Y., from 1984-85 while his father was the Buffalo Bills linebackers coach.

He did not recall much from the time period when asked earlier this week, but does remember a few snow storms and postgame gatherings at the home of another Bills defensive assistant, Pete Carroll, Kiffin's future boss at USC.

Kiffin returned to Buffalo as coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2008. He was fired by Al Davis eight days later. ...

Kiffin continued his practice of rotating captains. On Saturday, they were senior guard Roman Fernandez, sophomore cornerback Chris Tooley, and sophomore defensive tackle William Davis.